Roosevelt Dime Grading Guide
How to grade your Roosevelt dime — the Full Torch designation, silver vs clad, and key issues.
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Roosevelt Dime grading, in brief
Roosevelt dimes (1946–present) are graded 1–70 on the Sheldon scale. For Mint State coins the Full Torch (FT) designation — complete horizontal and vertical bands on the reverse torch — is the value driver. Most circulated and even many uncirculated dimes carry little premium; silver issues (pre-1965), gems, and FT coins are the exceptions.
Full Torch (FT)
On the reverse, the torch's horizontal and vertical bands should be complete and fully separated to earn 'Full Torch' (FT, sometimes called Full Bands). Weak strikes blur these lines, so FT coins — especially in high grades — command a premium over ordinary Mint State examples.
What graders look at
Torch bands (FT)
Complete, separated torch bands = Full Torch, the main value driver.
Roosevelt's cheek & hair
High-point wear and marks show on the cheek and hair.
Fields
Open fields show contact marks that limit gem grades.
Luster
Full luster separates Mint State from circulated.
Roosevelt Dime grading chart
Grade-by-grade, what to look for on your coin.
| Grade | Label | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| XF-40 | Extremely Fine | Light wear; torch detail partial |
| AU-55 | About Uncirculated | Trace wear; near-full detail |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated | Full luster; torch bands may merge |
| MS-65 | Gem Uncirculated | Clean fields, strong luster; check torch |
| MS-66 FT | Gem+ Full Torch | Complete separated torch bands |
| MS-67 FT | Superb Gem Full Torch | Virtually flawless with full torch |
Key dates worth grading
Roosevelt Dime grading FAQ
What is Full Torch on a Roosevelt dime?
Full Torch (FT) means the horizontal and vertical bands on the reverse torch are complete and fully separated. Weak strikes blur them, so FT coins command a premium.
How do I grade a Roosevelt dime?
Check luster and marks on Roosevelt's cheek and the open fields, then whether the torch bands are full and separated (FT). Full luster plus Full Torch signals a premium coin.
Which Roosevelt dimes are valuable?
The 1949-S, the low-mintage 1996-W, and high-grade Full Torch silver dimes carry the strongest premiums.
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